The nature of family law contracts

The promotion of gender equality and advanced reproductive technologies, the aspects of evolving social relationships and globalization at large update the improvement of the institution of contract in family law. The purpose of the study is to examine the nature of family law contracts which is determined by identifying their distinctive features. As the family law is separated from the civil one, the contracts are considered in relation to both branches of law. In particular, due to the terminological ambiguity, the research reviews the terms ‘contract’ and ‘agreement’ and their correlation in family law, the aspects of family law contracts, the validity of non-defined contracts, the freedom of contract. The author concludes that it is necessary to enhance the contract regulation of family relationships; the principles behind family law should be an urgent priority for regulating the contractual relations; the liability of parties to contract for defining the terms of a contract should be extended in order to develop the freedom of contract.